Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan extended his best wishes to Jagannath Rath Yatra, calling it the supreme festival of Sanatan tradition. He said that Mahaprabhu himself has come out to give darshan to the devotees. Foreign devotees also reached Puri to participate in this grand event.
Supreme festival of Sanatan culture
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan extended his best wishes on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra on Thursday. He described the festival as "a unique and supreme tradition of Sanatana culture" dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
Speaking to ANI, Pradhan explained about the rituals of the Rath Yatra and emphasized that God himself has chosen this occasion to bless the citizens and the general public. He said, "Today is the sacred Rath Yatra, which is a unique and supreme festival of the Sanatan tradition dedicated to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Ji, Mahaprabhu Shri Balabhadra Ji and Mata Subhadra Ji. Today, in just a short while, the Lord will come out of the temple performing the 'Pahandi' ritual and will board His chariots. Then He will travel to His maternal aunt's house and reach there by the evening. Mahaprabhu himself has taken this auspicious occasion to give his divine darshan to the citizens and the public. I am incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with Mahaprabhu's darshan today."
Confluence of art and faith
Special artwork by Sudarshan Patnaik
Meanwhile, renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Patnaik created a special sand sculpture at Puri Beach in Odisha, consisting of 100 small sand chariots along with Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
Enthusiasm among foreign devotees also
Jagannath Rath Yatra also attracted the attention of devotees from foreign countries. Eric Parker, a California resident of America who has traveled to 126 countries, said that he had been waiting for this opportunity for the last decade. He said, "I want to feel this whole experience - the chariots coming on the road, people pulling them, the excitement of the crowd and everything else. I have been waiting for this for 10 years. I have traveled to 126 countries and have been to India three times. I am really excited about it. I have come here especially for this opportunity."
Jagannath, another foreign tourist from South Korea, was impressed by the ambiance of Puri and described it as "wonderful". The tourist said, "This place is incredible. Indian people pray to God with deep devotion and sincerity. It is really wonderful, and it touches my heart. There are so many people gathered here."
Mahakumbh of millions of devotees
Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most important festivals of Hinduism, attracts millions of devotees every year. Elaborate security and logistics arrangements are made across the states to ensure its smooth and peaceful conduct.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)-
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